Suds and hot water saver



March 17; 1959 F. P. CLARK SUDS AND HOT WATER SAVER Filed May 28, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet lllllllll4| INVENTOR. FRM/K i? CA ARK Arran/ers p March 17, 1959 F. P. CLARK .2,877,788

suns AND HOT WATER SAVER Filed May 28. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIEL E .F.Z'EI E llllllllll zTf JNVENTOR. FMA/K l? CIL/:RK

rrom/Eys SUDS AND HOT WATER SAVER Frank P. Clark, St. Paul, Minn.

Application May 28, 1956, Serial No. 587,697

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-122) This invention relates to a device for use with washing machines of the type which automatically discharge used water from the machine. More particularly this invention relates to a device for the selective storage of the hot soapy wash-cycle water from an automatic washer for reuse for washing a subsequent batch of laundry.

In the normal cycle of operation of an automatic washing machine, after the soiled laundry and soap have been placed in the machine, hot water is admitted and the laundry is agitated in the hot soapy water for a period.

The hot water from the wash cycle is then discharged from the machine and replaced with one or more clear rinse water cycles. The rinse water is extracted from the washed laundry and discharged, completing the cycle. Where several batches of soiled laundry are to be washed itis necessary to begin anew adding more soap and fresh hot water. t

This practice is uneconomic in that it wastes both hot water and suds and it also often taxes the hot water `production capacity of the average home beyond its limit leaving no hot water available for other household functions. Although the problem has been recognized by leading washing machine manufacturers and attempts have been made to solve it, no satisfactory solution has been found previous to this invention.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an inexpensive storage unit for saving the suds and hot water from the wash-cycle for reuse, this unit being adapted for use in conjunctionwith any available automatic washing machine.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,vthis invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain 4illustrative embodiments of the invention, these States Patentl C being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings in which the :same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

' Figure l is a top plan view of the suds and hot water saver of this invention shown in position for discharging water from the washing machine to the drain; Figure 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the device as shown in Figure l, this View being on the line 2--2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

lFigure 4 is a top plan view similar to Figure l, but showing the suds and hot water saver in position for discharging hot sudsy water to the temporary storage tank;

Figure 5 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the assembly shown in Figure 4;

.u Figures 6 and 7 are. top plan and end elevations, respec-J 2,877,788 Patented Mar. 17, y,195s

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tively of a modified form of construction wherein the drain discharge pipe is flexible;

Figure 8 is an alternative form of latch release mechanism;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing generally the relation of the suds and hot water saver to the washing machine and one form of support;

Figure l0 is an enlarged detail of the foot of the support; and

Figure ll shows means for accommodating the device of this invention to the use of less than full washer tubs of water.

Referring now to the drawings, the suds and hot water saver of this invention comprises a storage tank 10 which is adapted to be positioned higher than the normal top surface of an automatic washing machine. The tank may be suspended from the rafters of the ceiling, supported by wall brackets, by legs resting on the floorv or the top of the machine, or some combination of these means. Tank 10 is provided with an inlet 11 which is connected to the conventional discharge pump of the washing machine. Tank 10 is provided with two discharge outlets, pipe or tube 12 which connects to any drain or sewer for discharging rinse water to the sewer and outlet 13 which connects to the washing machine for returning stored hot sudsy water to the machine for reuse. Drain tube 12 extends to a point higher than the desired level of stored sudsy water. The drain tube also serves as an overflow pipe in the event of failure of the mechanism to operate properly.

The connections between the machine and storage tank, both for introducing water to the storage tank and for returning hot sudsy water to the machine, are preferably exible. In the form of construction shown in Figures l to 5 inlet 11 extends just slightly within tank 10 and is joined through a eXible connection 14 to an inlet spout member 15, the end of which is directed downwardly. A plurality of transverse braces 16, 17 and 18 strengthen the tank and support elements of the operating `mechanism as shown and as described hereinafter.

The portion of drain 12 which is within tank 10 is a rigidpipe (in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5) one half of the top of which is cut away at 19 to receive the downturned movable spout 15 and to act as a stop for spout 15 as will be explained.

Outlet 13 is provided with a ball cock type valve. The ball cock 20 is tted with a lower lift wire 21, the loop of which is engaged by the loop of an upper lift wire 22, which in turn is connected to a trip lever 23. Lever 23 is pivoted in a slot in the upper end of a post 24 extending up from the bottom of tank 10. Post 24 also carriesa guide 25 for the lower valve lift wire. The outer end of trip lever 23 extends out through a slot in the sidewall of tank 10 and terminates in a handle 26. t

Spout 15 is movable away from communication with drain 12, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. One end of a flexible link, here a short length of chain 27, is connected by a band 28 to spout 15. The chain 27 passes through a guide and retaining hole in the top of post 2 4 and the opposite end is connected to trip lever 23 on the opposite side of the pivot from the connection with the lift wires for ball cock 20. Thus, when handle 26fl8 depressed spout 1S is pulled by chain 27, flexing the con nection 14, and is diverted to one side of` drain 12 to discharge into storage tank 10. i

Spout 15 is provided with latch means to hold it in the off-set position. A llat latch plate 29 is secured to the lower surface of spout 15. Plate 29 also rests on the upper surface of brace 17. The lower surface of plate 29 is provided over that portion which is free of brace,l 17 with a wedge shaped member 30 of increasing thickf,v

. ness in thevdirection away from spout 15. The wedgef shaped member 30 terminates short of the outer end of plate 29 to provide a latching surface which is engaged by a latch lever 31 pivotally attached to brace 17 by a suitable mount 32. The latch lever is mounted in unbalance so that the greater weight of the opposite end keeps locking end 33 normally urged against the under surface of wedge 30 or plate 29.

Thus, when handle 26 of trip lever 23 is depressed, spout 15 is displaced with respect to drain pipe 12 and is locked in this position by virtue of the locking end 33 of latch lever 31 engaging the latching surface formed on the lower side of plate 29 by wedge 39. Ball cock 20 is lifted from its seat in the return outlet 13 when handle 26 is depressed, but it reseats by gravity as soon as the spout is latched and the handle is released. By this means, hot sudsy water is stored in tank 10.

`A release for returning spout 15 to the drain is provided by ball oat 34 at the end of arm 35, the opposite .end of which is pivoted in a bracket 36 on brace 17.

Arm 35 passes through a guide bracket 37 on brace 18. As the incoming hot and soap water from the washing cycle of the washing machine is pumped into tank 10 through inlet 11 and displaced spout 15, the rising level of water gradually raises oat 34 urging arm 35 against the free end of latch lever 31. At a predetermined level generally corresponding to the initial charge of hot water to the washing machine arm 35 is raised to a height sufficient to release the latching end 33 of latch arm 31 from engagement with the end of wedge 30.

When the latch is disengaged spout 15 is returned to position partially within the top of drain pipe 12, the projecting half of the cut-out end 19 acting as a stop for the spout. The spout is returned by virtue of a counterweight 38 which is suspended from chain 39 secured to spout 15 by band 40. For convenience and ease of operation chain 30 is passed over a pulley 41 journalledin a sleeve mounted on the top of brace 18. Counterweight 3S is of sucient mass to easily return the spout.

The operation of the device as described in connection with Figures l to is as follows:

In normal non-operating position the mechanism of the suds and hot water saver is as shown in Figures 1 to v3 with inlet 11 connected to the washing machine pump.

The housewife loads the washer with clothes, adds soap and initiates cycling of the washing machine in the normal manner. Then, at sometime prior to the end of the initialhot water wash cycle, she actuates the suds and hot water saver by depressing lever handle 26. By so doing the inlet line is flexed and spout 15 is displaced from the drain 12 and is latched in this position by latch 31. When handle 26 is released ball-cock 20 reseats, closing tank against escape of water.

The suds saver is now set to receiveand store the hot soapy water discharged from the machine at the end of the first wash cycle of the machine. At the end of the rst cycle, the'machine pump, instead of discharging the hot soap water to the sewer, pumps it through inlet 11 and spout to the storage tank 10. Float 34 rises gradually with the rising level of hot soapy water.

Toward the end of the first wash cycle of the machine as the extracted wash water is discharged from themachine the level of soapy Water in the storage tank is such that lloat 34 raises arm 35 high enough to cause it to touch the free end of latch lever 31 and release the latch. Immediately counterweight 38 causes spout 15 to return to its original position to discharge directly into drain pipe 12. The washing machine continues through its rinse and extraction cycles and the water from these cycles goes directly to the drain pipe 12 and on to the sewer.

At the completion of the washing, rinsing and extraction cycles the machine turns itself 01T and the housewife -removes the washed clothes. She then recharges themachine with .soiled clothes and sets the control knob :just past .the .stage for introducing fresh hot water. The

flexible connection from outlet 13 of the storage tank is led into the washer in much the manner shown in Figure 9 and lever handle 26 is again depressed. This time the stored hot sudsy water is discharged through outlet 13 and returned to the machine. At the same time spout 15 is reset to permit the storage tank to receive the hot soapy water from the second washing. The same procedure is followed for the third and subsequent washes for as long as the water is suitable for washing.

Since the suds saver is automatically reset to receive the soapy water after each washing when the water from the previous washing is returned to the machine, the water from the last washing would ordinarily also be stored. To permit the water from this last washing to be discharged directly to the drain, there is provided a trip comprising an elongated rod 42 journalled in the channel of brace 17 and having a handle 43 at one end extending through the tank wall and a crank arm 44 at the other end. Rotation of handle 43 causes crank arm 44 to strike the lower surface of latch lever 31 to cause it to discngage and permit the counterweight to return spout 15 to position over drain pipe 12.

In Figures 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative form of construction. The construction is generally similar and the same numerals with the letter A have been used to designate corresponding parts. These parts are not described again except as necessary to explain the modified construction. According to this form of the invention the inlet spout 11A is stationary. The portion of the drain pipe within tank 10 is movable with respect to spout 11A. The relationship between inlet spout and drain outlet are just reversed from that in the embodiment of Figures l to 5.

The exible drain comprises a portion 12A which Ipasses through the bottom of tank 10, a flexible connection 12B and a rigid end portion 12C. Half of the free end of pipe 12C is cut away to receive the end of stationary spout 11A. The movable end 12C of the drain pipe is connected by means of chain 27A to trip lever 23A. Depression of handle 26A displaces pipe section 12C away from inlet spout 11A. It is held in displaced position by means of a latch plate 45 having a yoke whose arms are secured to the top of pipe section 12C. The under surface of plate 45 is provided with a wedge 46 for engagement with latch lever 31A. Plate 45 is provided with two projecting lugs 47 at the opposite end by which it is supported for movement between braces 17A and 18A.

When handle 26A is depressed the upper movable portion 12C of the drain pipe is displaced from the inlet spout 11A and is latched in this displaced position by latch lever 31A engaging the lower surface of latch plate 45 against wedge 46. After entry of the sudsy water the drain is restored to its normal position to discharge the rinse and extracted water by means of float arm 35A disengaging the latch lever permitting counterweight 38A to pull the movable section back, all in the manner heretofor described in connection with Figures 1 to 5.

In vFigure 8 there is shown an alternative form of latch release mechanism which can be used with either of the described embodiments. A pin or plunger 48 is pivotally .attached to the end of latch lever 31 opposite to the latching end 33. Plunger 48 is slidably engaged by the coil 49 of a solenoid. The solenoid coil is connected byflines 50 and 51 through switch 52 to a source-of electric current. A cam 54 on control knob 53 of the automatic washer momentarily closes switch 52 to actuate the solenoid. Plunger 48 is retracted, disengaging latch lever 31 from wedge 30 on plate 29 and permitting spout 15 Yto be returned by means of the counterweight at the end of the wash water extraction cycle.

Figure 9 shows one manner ofmounting storage tank ltzwherein the tank is partially `supported by means of drain pipe 12, which in this instance extends to thetlgor anda-restsuupon-a T `551at'its lower-end. To provide severas further stability (as best shown in Figure 'l' 55 is secured to any suitable plate 56 by means of straps 57. Plate 56 pivots on the T so as to adjust to the slope of a basement floor, for example. This form of mounting is obviously practicable only where a floor drain may be utilized. Where a tub drain is used the drain pipe 12 is replaced in part by flexible hose or tubing.

In Figure 1l there is shown means for accommodating the device of this invention for use when less than a full tub of hot water is initially used in the automatic washer. An elevating appendage 60 is clipped or otherwise secured to the arm 35 carrying the float ball 34 so as to raise the effective height of the arm. The appendage 60 of appropriate thickness is fastened to the arm over the area of arm 35 which contacts the lower edge of the latch release lever 31. When so Outiitted the oat arm will release the latch when the float has been lifted only partially,k as for example when only a half of a tub of hot water has been used in the initial washing cycle of the automatic machine. The elevating appendage 60 is desirably in the form of a channel which straddles the arm 35 and is pivotally mounted by a pin 61 so that it may be tilted out of the way as shown in broken lines.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A suds and hot water saver unit adapted for use with an automatic washing machine, said unit comprising a water storage tank adapted to be positioned at a level above an automatic washing machine; an inlet tube extending into said tank for receiving water from the discharge pump of said machine; a return outlet adjacent the bottom of said tank adapted to communicate with hose means for returning lstored water by gravity to said machine; a drain tube in said tank and extending above the desired stored water level for discharging unwanted water by gravity directly from said inlet tube to communicating hose means leading to a sewer drain; one of said tubes being moveable relative to the other whereby in one position, water from the inlet tube is discharged into the storage tank and in the other position, water from the inlet tube is discharged directly into the sewer drain tube; means for effecting relative movement of said inlet and drain tubes, said means comprising a trip lever pivotally supported within said tank, at least part of said trip lever extending outside of the storage tank to render the lever operable from outside the storage tank, flexible link means connecting said moveable tube to said trip lever for displacing said movable tube from engagement with said stationary tube; latch means for holding the movable tube in displaced position, means for returning said moveable tube into engagement with said stationary tube; means for disengaging said latch means at the end of the wash cycle; and means for cutting oi return tlow through said return outlet.

2. A suds and hot water saver according to claim 1 further characterized in that said inlet tube is movable and comprises a stationary portion, a movable spout portion and a flexible connection between.

3. A suds and hot Water saver according to claim 1 further characterized in that said latch disengaging means comprises a rigid arm pivotally secured within said tank and bearing a tioat at its opposite end, whereby said arm is raised with the rising level of istored water in said tank.

4. A suds and hot water saver according to claim 1 further characterized in that said latch means comprises a latch plate secured to said movable tube, a wedge on said plate and an unbalanced latch lever pivotally mounted for engagement with said wedge and plate.

5. A suds and hot water saver unit adapted for use with an automatic washing machine, said unit comprising a water storage tank adapted to be positioned at a level above an automatic washing machine; a movable inlet tube adapted to be connected to the pump discharge of -said washing machine for receiving water from the said machine, said movable inlet tube having a downwardly directed spout; a return outlet in the bottom of said tank adapted to communicate with tube means for returning stored water by gravity to said machine; a stationary drain tube in said tank adapted to communicate with tube means for discharging unwanted water by gravity directly from said inlet tube to a drain, the top of said drain tube extending above the desired stored water level; means for effecting movement of said inlet with respect to the stationary drain tube whereby water from the inlet is discharged into the storage tank, said means comprising a trip lever pivotally supported within said tank, flexible link means connecting said inlet tube to the trip lever; latch means for holding the inlet tube in displaced position; means for disengaging said latch means; counterweight means attached through liexible link means to said inlet tube for returning the inlet tube to engagement with the drain tube; stop means at the top end of said drain tube to limit return movement of said inlet tube; ball cock valve means for closing said return outlet and link means connecting said return outlet valve means to said trip.

lever.

6. A suds and hot water saver according to claim 5 further characterized in that said latch means comprises a latch plate secured to the inlet tube, a wedge on said plate and an unbalanced latch lever pivotally mounted for engagement with said wedge and plate.-

7. A suds and hot water saver according to claim 6 further characterized in that said latch disengaging means comprises a rigid arm pivotally secured at one end Within said tank and bearing a oat at its opposite end, whereby said arm is raised by the rising level of stored water into engagement with the latch lever.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 565,465 Kruse Aug. 11, 1896 1.640.947 Lockhart Aug. 30, 1927 2,721,574 Parker Oct. 25, 1955. 

